A Season of Grief and Loss


A savage storm blew through and left

the cottonwood tree upside down,

uprooted, and now it lies

in a tangled heap.

Our minds cannot comprehend the scale of this loss, 

how it can happen -

something so strong, sturdy and lovely

is now simply - gone?

This object of contemplation,

perch for innumerable birds and critters -

    those that make it a home and 

    those just passing through,

companion for morning coffee and 

    Sunday afternoon strolls,

    landmark and compass,

And now - gone?


The storm of cancer blew through and left

its own devastation,

lives turned upside down, now lying

in a tangled heap.

Our minds cannot comprehend the scale of the loss,

how it can happen -

someone so beautiful, kind and open-hearted

is now simply - gone?

This wife, mother, daughter, and 

friend to so many -

    who loved shared laugher and

    the warmth of family, of home,

companion for midmorning tea and

    afternoon strolls,

    keystone and compass,

And now - gone?


How do we move forward, those of us left to grapple

with the tangled mess, the emptiness felt

when we look out the window and our loved one

is not there to greet us?

We must look for the light, shining through the mess of 

sticks and roots.

See the birds make new homes, right there

in the tangle - still using the branches as their shelter and reference point.

See the fuel that the loss will become,   

    igniting future thoughts and deeds.

See the lasting impact that it has had on its habitat,

    on those that love it most.

Somehow, we find

    gratitude for what was, alongside

    the sadness for what was lost.

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